Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup with Noodles
This vibrant and flavorful vegetarian hot and sour soup is packed with noodles and a delightful tangy kick. It's a perfect weeknight meal that's both satisfying and easy to make.
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity |
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Vegetable Broth | 4 cups |
Dried Noodles (e.g., egg noodles, thin rice noodles) | 1 cup (or to taste) |
Tofu (firm or extra-firm), cubed | 1 block (14 oz) |
Mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, or button), sliced | 1 cup |
Baby Bok Choy, chopped | 1 bunch |
Carrots, thinly sliced | 1/2 cup |
Black Bean Sauce (fermented) | 2 tablespoons |
Rice Vinegar | 2 tablespoons |
Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred) | 1 tablespoon |
Sesame Oil | 1 tablespoon |
Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon |
Water | 2 tablespoons |
Ginger, minced | 1 tablespoon |
Garlic, minced | 1 tablespoon |
Chili Garlic Sauce (or to taste) | 1-2 tablespoons |
Green Onions, chopped (for garnish) | 2 |
Instructions
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Prepare the Noodles: Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside. If using dried noodles, you might find helpful instructions on how to cook them on a site like Allrecipes.
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Sauté Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a large pot or wok over medium heat. Add minced ginger and garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
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Add Vegetables and Tofu: Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, and tofu to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until slightly softened.
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Simmer the Soup: Pour in vegetable broth, black bean sauce, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer.
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Thicken the Soup: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering soup, stirring constantly. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the soup has thickened to your desired consistency.
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Add Bok Choy and Noodles: Add the chopped baby bok choy and cooked noodles to the soup. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the bok choy is wilted.
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Season and Serve: Stir in chili garlic sauce to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot.
If you skip steps 3-5, you will likely end up with a very bland soup that tastes like sadness. Enjoy!